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Minster of agriculture and rural development, Dr Mahmood Mohammed Abubakar has assured the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to agricultural development through research, innovation and technology.

He said that the president relied on agriculture for food production and economic development in order to bring the country back on the path of growth.

The minister stated this in Abuja when the executive secretary of ARCN, Prof Garba Sharubutu paid him a working visit.

Dr Abubakar maintained that the president has assured him of readiness to significantly improve the capacity of staff of the ARCN, NARIs and FCAs and to this end he has directed that the NARIs and FCAs to furnish the ministry with critical areas of human resources needs especially research fellows, lecturers, analysts, technologists and technicians.

A statement by the council’s head, protocol and publicity, Kayode Aiyedogbon said “Accordingly, the products of your research is expected to be taken off the shelves for the immediate utilisation of farmers, industries and consumers, you must also ensure a strong drive towards attracting research grants to suppliment the available funds which will therefore ensure lesser dependence on government funding in the nearest future.

Apart from NAERLS, each NARIs and FCAs has a responsibility to establish extension service departments and units, and in this regard, the Dr Abubakar wonders why our extension services units should be lagging behind the global standards and he has directed that with the expected increase of manpower, all the stakeholders are to rejuvenate the extension services unit and ensure effective delivery of research results to end users”.

In his remarks, executive secretary of ARCN, Prof. Garba Sharubutu acknowledged the minister’s remarks and directives, but raised some concerns as regards the new amended ARCN Act which according to him cannot be fully implemented without minister’s approval.

by Adegwu John (Leadership Newspaper)

Agricultural experts have expressed concern at the effects of insecurity, climate change and poor budgetary allocations to Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which are threatening the country’s long term food security.

Challenges in the sector have in recent times led to farmers abandoning their farms, and harvest destroyed due to climate change, natural disasters and diseases.

With high expectations for the year 2022, experts in the agricultural sector have canvassed for more research, funding, and tackling of climate change and insecurity to herald a viable agriculture sector.

They believe that sustained funding, especially in the area of agricultural research and innovation will bring about breakthrough and value addition that would drive the federal government’s diversification policy for job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and GDP growth.

While setting the agenda for the agricultural sector in 2022 with high expectation of a fruitful outcome, some experts who spoke to LEADERSHIP Weekend in separate interviews said the current 1.8 percent allocation to the sector is grossly inadequate to put the country on the path to economic prosperity.

Although the Maputo Declaration mandates all African countries to set aside at least 10 per cent of their yearly budgets to agriculture, since 2003 when the agreement came to effect, Nigeria has failed to abide by the treaty as budgetary allocation to agriculture currently stands at 1.8 percent in the 2022 budget.

Agriculture remains a strong pillar to tackle Nigeria’s economic misfortunes and, as such, paucity of funds and lack of robust research could deprive the sector of its viability.

The national president of Potatoes Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN), Daniel Okafor, called for more research in the agricultural sector for the development of crops, animals, the transformation of agriculture by-products, and making available raw materials for improved farming.

Okafor also said, “I want the government to intervene in all the value chains of agriculture by providing low-interest loans directly to farmers and also look into value addition for every sector, especially the processing and marketing of agricultural products.”

On the issue of climate change, he urged the federal government to develop a sustainable framework to tackle its effects, saying climate change has destroyed a lot of agricultural produce and has led to poor harvest.

He said, “Let NiMet (Nigeria Meteorological Agency)  and other government agencies set up a sustainable framework to tackle climate change to achieve a favourable weather condition for improving production.”

The helmsman of the potatoes farmers also urged the federal government to consider more training for farmers on good agricultural practices.

According to him, “Government should consider training farmers on good agricultural practices in line with international best practices because most of Nigeria’s food produce are not acceptable in the international market. We want more exportation for farmers to make more money and attract young people into agriculture.

“I expect the federal government to move the Anchor Borrowers Programme to the Bank of Agriculture and use Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) to reduce insurance premiums for farmers.”

On his part, the national president, Agricultural Produce Sellers Association of Nigeria (APSAN), Comrade Aloys Akortsaha, advised the federal government to increase budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector to guarantee economic growth.

He said in the year 2022, “if the federal government is truthful about diversifying the economy into agriculture, they should take the budgetary allocation to the sector seriously because practising farming nowadays needs a lot of equipment and money. At least they should encourage mechanised farming and give more loans to farmers directly.

“Farming is the only thing that when you invest in it, you will not be disappointed because every kobo given to farmers, you will see results. For instance, if you give each farmer N200,000 to farm, the next year you will be surprised at the output, the result will be marvelous.”

On budgetary budget allocation to the agriculture sector, he maintained that it is grossly inadequate.

“I want to emphasise that budget allocation to agriculture all these years is grossly inadequate so my opinion is that the money should be increased and again the federal government should take the agricultural sector seriously in the real sense of it.”

While urging Nigerians to support efforts that will reduce substandard agro-produce in the country, Akortsaha noted that the lack of acceptance of Nigeria’s agricultural produce at the international market due to safety and health concerns has created a dented image for the country and has depleted foreign exchange earnings as Nigeria’s cannot export most of its agricultural produce to Europe and other countries.

Speaking on his agenda for the government this year, the national president of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Adeola Adegoke similarly called for increased investment in the agricultural sector to deliver a sustained economy.

Adegoke also sought protection for farmers and stressed the need to put an end to farmers-herders crisis as well as kidnapping in the nation.

He said government at all levels must collaborate with the private sector and research institutions to invest and facilitate agricultural research and transfer of breakthrough innovations to farmers for improved food production.

“We have realised that the agric sector gives the highest foreign exchange earnings to a country and for industrialisation of the sector, they must be key things that must be done, which is food sufficiency and food security,” he said, adding that increased import of food in the nation shows a lot of weaknesses of the economy.

“A lot of things need to be put in place for economic growth in terms of increased spending and investment and diversification of agriculture across the value chain.

“We must look at the processing and marketing and value addition of all agricultural produce, and to see how we can improve our exportation; this, to me, is going to sustain the economy and diversify it in real terms.”

Speaking further, he said there must be a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors to drive the economy and utilize research Institutes.

He said, “This will bridge the gap and transfer of research breakthroughs and bring in private investors to look at ways of making sure that we as a nation build our capacity to sustain the economy because we have seen that no country can develop without the agric sector being revolutionised.

“It is not only to increase funding- that is important, but to improve our security on all sides and make sure that our people go to the farm and produce in commercial quantities, and at the same time empowering other farmers to produce more.”

Adegoke noted that a viable agricultural sector will ensure the availability of locally made raw materials for the country’s industries.

He also canvassed an increase in the exportation of cocoa as one of Nigeria’s commodities with huge potential in foreign exchange earnings that can aid GDP growth.

Meanwhile, the executive secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof Garba Sharubutu, said that the council will, in 2022, be concentrating on early maturing crops to enhance food security.

Speaking on his 2022 vision to LEADERSHIP Weekend, Prof Sharubutu said the federal government was concerned about the rising prices of food items, adding that the council in the coming days will work with the private sector and foreign partners to develop a mechanism that will make food more affordable to Nigerians.

The professor added that the council was bracing up strategies to change the direction of agricultural research and innovations towards addressing climate change, natural disasters, and diseases that might hamper effective food production.

“We are going to concentrate on early maturing crops which is meant to solve the problem of food security because the more we produce what we consume, the more we stabilise the economy.

“We are starting the year 2022 on a very good note with renewed vigour. The National Agricultural Technology and Incubation platform, which is the new policy that is coming up, has vested on ARCN more responsibility and the minister has challenged us – that we must bring in problem-solving innovations. The direction now is for us to research into areas that will solve problems

“Before the end of the first quarter, we are expected to hold a meeting with all the agricultural research institutes together with the private sector, especially those that are into agricultural development.

“This meeting will also involve our foreign partners, to look for solutions to most of the problems and the number one problem is from a research point of view – how do we bring down prices of foodstuff? We will offer our advice to the government on the issue of prices of foodstuff. “

He said the meeting will also look at agriculture in terms of the devastating effects of natural disasters, climate, and diseases and set research targets for the various research institutes.

The professor said with the introduction of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation, farmers are going to improve their productivity.

“Farmers should expect more of extension activities; the minister is very concerned about the issue of extension and the impact it has on the farmers, as well as the high prices of food items linked to our inability to produce more food,’’ he concluded.

by Adegwu John (Leadership)

In what can be termed as a wonderful but kind gesture, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Muhammad Mahmoud Abubakar, today paid a familiarisation visit to the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN).
In his opening remarks, the Hon. Minister expressed delight in seeing a large turn out of staff welcome him and observed their compliance to the COVID 19 protocols by wearing nose masks.
The Hon. Minister assured that the Federal government will not just sit and watch food prices skyrockets as measures are in place to ensure that the prices are stabilised before the end of the year.
Dr Abubakar also hinted that the Ministry is working with some international organisations to improve the sector inorder to enhance food production that will be sufficient for the Nigerian growing population.
In his words, “we are doing everything possible to bring up some stimulants that can bring down the food prices”.
The Minister however hinted that the Growth Enhancement Scheme GES, will be brought back soon having identified how to make it work better.
In his welcome remarks, the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Prof. Garba Hamidu Sharubutu mni, welcomed the august visitors and quickly pledged that the Council is ready to support the Ministry inorder to ensure the provision of necessary input for food security, poverty eradication and diversification of the economy.
Prof. Sharubutu acknowledged the fact that various NARIs have made giant strides in developing technologies that will tackle emerging diseases and pests which according to him have changed the direction of our research from basic to demand driven agricultural research and technologies as most of our researches are now responding to the yearnings. The ES recalled when we had cases of army worms on maize farms, pest attack on beans as well as tuta absoluta on tomatoes. In his words, Prof. Sharubutu said, ” our research institutes have been able to find solutions to these pests and insects, that is the demand driven agricultural research initiatives”.
In conclusion, the ES said that researchers are making efforts to incorporate nutrients into crops inorder to improve the nutritional components of crops.
Thereafter, the Hon. Minister was led on a guided inspection of the ongoing finishing touches at the new building due for commissioning next week’s Monday.

Kayode I. Aiyedogbon
Head, Protocol and Publicity

Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar Assumes Duties at FMARD- Promises to prioritize the implementation of FG’s national livestock policy.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar has said that he will prioritize the implementation of the Federal Government’s National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) as part of measures to tackle the insecurity across the country. He said the livestock plan is designed to address the farmers/herders’ incessant conflicts, increase agric production and grow the Nigerian economy.

Speaking during the handing-over and taking-over ceremony at the Ministry’s Conference Room on Thursday, 9th September 2021, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar said, ‘’ the priority of this Ministry under my leadership will be to ensure that we put in place the necessary policy direction that will truly position agriculture as the mainstay of our economy as captured in the Medium Term National Development Plan and Mr. President’s vision of uplifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years’’.

He also said that ‘’research and extension services will be strengthened to ensure that best practices are translated into concrete deliverables in all the Value Chains including the livestock value chain’’

The Minister stressed the need for synergy among the departments and agencies towards achieving the mandate of the ministry and the diversification policy of Mr. President’s Administration.

He expressed optimism that the country’s enormous resources can place the country as the number one food producer and exporter in the world, ‘’food security is everything and can make a difference. There is no reason why we cannot do this’’.

In his remarks, the former Minister, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono, thanked the Management and staff of the ministry for their support during his tenure in office. He highlighted some of the achievements while in office to include: the stoppage of rice importation into the country, increase in production of local rice, subsidization of fertilizer, ease of movement of Agricultural produce during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown among others.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture Rural Development, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri, stated that the outgoing minister “to the best of his ability contributed immensely to the success of the Ministry during his two years tenure”. He described the Minister as being a passionate farmer, whose guidance and counseling would be needed in the future.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, assured the Minister of support and cooperation of the directors and staff of the ministry to achieve his mandate which is in line with the diversification policy of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dr. Umakhihe commended the outgoing minister, Alhaji Mohammad Sabo Nanono for playing a remarkable role in advancing the agricultural sector towards achieving self-sufficiency in rice production and other value chains.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar was born on 30th December 1958 in Tudun Wada, Kaduna South, Kaduna State.

He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in (Biology Major, Chemistry Minor) specializing in Microbiology and Master’s Degree in Resources Management, majoring in Natural Resources Management from Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Washington, and also has a Ph.D. in Watersheds Management from the University of Arizona, Tucson all in the USA.

He is a seasoned microbiologist and did his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporations (NNPC) Kaduna Refinery, Kaduna State.

Dr. Abubakar has worked in various international Organisations which include: Kittitas Country (Health Dept.) as Environmental Health Inspector, the University of Arizona as Research and Teaching Assistance, E&A Environmental Services Los Angeles, California as an Environmental professional (Industrial Hygienist), Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle as Industrial Waste Investigator.

He also worked as a Director Planning, Research and Evaluation with the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Agency and has lectured at Water Resources Research Institute, Kaduna as well as a volunteer Environmental Consultant for the United Nations Association, Seattle Washington DC.

The Minister is a member of several professional organizations including the National Environmental Society, Nigeria (NES), National Association of Environmental Profession. United Nations Association, National Environmental Health Association, USA, among others.

He is happily married with children.

Chinenye Obi
For: Director, Information (FMARD)